Manifolding typewriting machine



June 11 1940, K. DAVIS 2,204,247

MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18,1959 2 Sheets-Shet 1ATTORNEY F. K. DAVIS June 11, 1940.

MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 19259 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR FRA/VK K5250 DAV/J BY ORNEY Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED,STATES MANIFOLDING TYPEWRITING MACHINE Frank Kelso Davis, Silver Spring,Md., assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application February 18, 1939, Serial No.257,197

7 Claims.

This invention relates to manifolding typewriters, billing and likemachines, and more particularly to mechanisms for feeding the work weband interleaved transfer sheets to the typing mechanism.

In manifolding machines such as the Underwood fanfold billing machine, awork web consisting of a pack of superposed forms is fed into themachine in a continuous strip, having a series of transfer sheets orcarbons interleaved therewith, the leading portion of this assemblybeing positioned around the typewriter platen for typing. In continuousbilling machines, for example, the several plies of the work web stripbear a corresponding printed form, each set of registering forms beingdivided from the succeeding set by a perforated or tearing line, tofacilitate removing the complete typed set. To enable the operator tograsp the leading end of the work web independently of the transfersheets, the leading edge of the transfer sheets is spaced back of theleading edge of the work webs an arbitrary marginal distance. When thetyping of one set of forms is completed, the work web, with the 25carbons, is manually drawn forwardly against the usual gaging stop adistance equivalent to one set of forms and, while still grasping thework web at the carbon-free end-margin, the carbons are stripped fromthe typed forms by retracting the carbon truck or carrier on which thetrailing portions of the carbon sheets are held, the completed formsbeing thereafter torn from the continuous strip preparatory to typingthe next form. By retracting the carbons the same distance that the workweb has been advanced, the displacement of the leading edge of thecarbons relative to the work web at the new leading edge is maintained.This procedure is followed, during the typing of a succession of forms,until the area of the carbon sheets being used is worn and requiresreplacement. This is done by advancing the carbon sheets together withthe work web to remove a typed form, the set of forms and thecorresponding worn section of the carbon sheets in registry therewith,being severed simultaneously. This condition requires restoring theoffset relation of the carbon sheets to the work web to again providethe gripping margin at the leading end of the work web. A like conditionobtains after reloading the machine with a new strip of the work web, ora new supply of carbon.

sheets, at which time the carbon sheet ends may also be even with theleading end of the work web, likewise requiring the provision of theoffset relation to present a gripping margin.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide, in a manifoldingmachine, a simple, inexpensive and reliably operative device tofacilitate the restoration or provision of the offset relation of thecarbon sheets relative to the work web strip to present a grippingmargin at the leading end of the work web.

In its more specific aspect, the invention provides means operable atthe front of the machine for manually interposing a normally ineffectivegaging device into cooperation with a stop limiting movement of thecarbon carrier, as during the retraction of the carbon sheets, by whichto modify the extent of normal movement of the carbon carrier andthereby effect a prede termined end-marginal offset of the carbon sheetsfrom the work web during the process of typing a series of forms.

A further object is to provide a gaging device of this characteraffording a predetermined'gage for the purposes indicated, having meansof adjustment by which the distance ga'ged may be varied withinpractical limits to provide any desired amount of marginal offset of thecarbons and work web.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the manifolding typewriter forming thepreferred embodiinent of the invention. portions of the apparatus beingbroken away to facilitate illustration.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the effectiveposition of the carbon truck gaging device.

Figures 3 to 8, inclusive, are diagrammatic side elevational viewsillustrating various positions of the mechanism assumed during theprocess of manifold typing, in which,

Figure 3 shows the mechanism in position for typing a second or asucceeding form. of the work web.

Figure 4 shows the position of the mechanism with the platen raised,before stripping the carbons from the typed forms preparatory to typinga succeeding form.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, similar to Figure 4, but showing thecarbon sheets stripped fromthe typed forms by retracting the carbontruck, preparatory to severing the typed forms.

Figure 6 -is a view similar to Figure 5 but with the platen lowered totyping position, and showing the manner of severing the typed form.

Figure 7 shows the position of the mechanism, with the platen raised andwith the carbon truck retracted preparatory to removing the worn sectionof the carbons while severing the previously typed form, interposing thegaging stop so as to subsequently effect the offset of the carbonsrelative to the work web, and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the platen lowered totyping position and illustrating the condition after severing the typedform and the used carbon sections, in readiness to type a succeedingform.

Several types of manifolding machines now in general use aredistinguished mainly by the mechanism by which the continuous supply oftransfer sheets or carbons is provided. In one type of machine, a seriesof carbon sheets of suitable length are arranged flatwiseQthe trailingends of each sheet being held on a blade disposed transversely of thework web and supported on a carbon truck, as shown in the patent toWernery and Smith 1,132,055. Anothertype of manifolding machine is shownin the patents to Rubridge 1,896,465 and Smith 1,979,292, which type ofmachine is distinguished mainly by rolls at the sides of the work webfrom which carbons are supplied.

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, the improvementsset forth are embodied in a machine of the latter general type having aroll carbon supply. It will be apparent, however, as the descriptionproceeds, that the invention may be embodied in other types ofmanifolding machine, in that the gaging device or auxiliary stop maycooperate with the carbon truck from which the carbon sheets issue, re-

gardless of the manner in which the carbons are supplied.

In that a substantial portion of the apparatus illustrated in thedrawings, and forming the preferred embodiment of my invention, is wellknown to those skilled in the art, a brief description of theconventional manifolding machine will suflice to set forth the uses andadvantages of the present invention.

Manifolding machines, such as the Underwood fanfold machine, are usuallyprovided with a cylindrical platen 9 arranged on the platen carriage soas to be movable to a raised position to facilitate manipulating thework web and carbons during the process of manifold typing. The platen 9is locked in normal low or typing position, Figures 1 and 3, against theusual feed rolls H), as by the coaction of a lock lever ll, upon releaseof which lever the platen may be raised well above the feed rolls I,Figure 4, as by forwardly swinging a paper gage bracket l2 extendingfrom a paper shelf l3. The bracket I2 adjustably carries thereon a paperend-gage l4 by which the extent of advancing the work .web relative to astationary severing knife i5 adjacent the platen is determined.

, As afore indicated, the web usually consists of a continuous strip I!of superposed plies fed into the typing mechanism of the' machine from asupply at the rear thereof, together with a series of carbon sheets i8each interleaved between .the plies of the work web. As previouslydescribed, the several plies of the work web strip may each bear acorresponding printed form, each set of forms being divided from thesucceeding set by a perforated or tearing line. In drawing forward thework web preparatory to removing a typed set of forms, the work web ispulled forward manually until its leading edge abuts the gage M,

the position of this gage being set so as to register the tearing lineof the work web with the severing knife l5.

In the conventional manifolding machine of either type afore mentioned,the supply of carbon sheets issues from a carbon truck or carrier onwhich the trailing portion of the carbons is held. In the embodimentillustrated, the trailing portions of the carbons iii are carried on acarbon truck or carrier 20 and are supplied from a suitable number ofcarbon rolls 2| carried in brackets 22 supported on the carbon truck 20.Each car bon sheet i8, issuing from a roll 2i, passes over a diagonalguide member 23 of a guide frame 24 held in the brackets 22, the guidemember 23 directing the carbon sheets in line with the work web ill. Thecarbon rolls H are each releasably held against rotation to preventunintended unreeling of the carbons, by suitable locking devices 25,each engaging a serrated edge 26 of the spool mounting each carbon roll.

The carbontruck 20 together with the carbonrolls 2i moves toward thetypewriter platen 9 during typing, being actuated by the line-spacerotation of the platen in advancing the work web it with the interleavedcarbons i8. To accommodate this movement, the carbon truck 20 travels ontracks 28 by track wheels 29 on the-carbon truck, the tracks 28 beingsupported on a track frame 38. The track frame 30 is supported at itsforward end by brackets 3! on the platen carriage and travelstransversely of the machine to keep the carbon truck 20 in line with theplaten carriage during letter-feed movement in line-typing and issupported at its rear portion by track wheels 32 riding on a transversetrack 33.

After typing a set of forms, and subsequent to the advance of said'typedform to be severed by the knife I5, the several carbon sheets are 1collectivelystripped from the'typed forms and retracted to a position inregistry with a succeeding set of forms preparatory to typing the I nextforms, by moving the carbon truck 20 rearward. For this purpose anactuating arm 35 extends forwardly from the carbon truck and stop 38 andswingable on stud 35 into said path,

at will, see Figure 2. The gaging stop 40 further comprises an arm 43 towhich is flexibly connected a pull rod 44, by a block 45 threaded on therod. Said rod extends along the arm 35 and is slidably guided thereon byscrews 39, the rod 44 having at its forward end a finger piece 46adjacent the arm handle 36. It will be noted that the gaging arm 42 ofthe auxiliary stop is formed in two sections adjustable relatively toeach other to vary the length or gaging distance of said arm, as shownmore clearly in Figure 2, the outer arm section 41 being held by screws48 engaging certain of a series of tapped holes 49 in the other armsection. A restoring spring 50 engaging the auxiliary stop at one endand being anchored at its other end on the carbon truck generaldescription of the manifold typing pro- 7 cedure by the improved machineembodying the invention herein set forth now follows:

Figure 3 shows the condition of the mechanism during the typing of anyone set of forms except the first or initial set and may also beregarded as illustrating the typing of the first set. eiicept insofar asthe position of the carbon ends, offset from the leading end of the workweb, is concerned. The manner of providing this offset, following thetyping of the first form, will be hereinafter manifest. Considering theshowing of Figure 3 as representing the typing of a second or succeedingform, to iirst demonstrate the normal manifold typing procedure, it willbe seen that the carbons are interleaved with the plies of the work weband extend therewith around the platen, the latter being in the normallow position against the feed rolls Ill. .In this view the typing hasprogressed to'a-n intermediate typed line on the form, and the carbontruck, holding the supply of carbons, has accordingly advanced from itsrearmost position; it beingnoted that the carbon rolls are preventedfrom, unreeling by the engaged locking devices 25.

When the typing of this form is completed, the platen 9 is unlocked andraised to the Figure 4 position, as by swinging the gage bracket l2forward and downward, and the work web and carbons therewith are pulledforward until the leading edge of the work web abuts the gage M. Thisgage'has been set from the knife IS a certain distance equal to thelength of a single form, that is, the distance between the tearing linesof each form on the continuous work web strip, so that with the work webend abutting the gage ll, the tearing line of the work web strip is inregistry with the knife. Still grasping the leading end of the work web,the carbons l8 are stripped from the typed form by retracting the carbontruck 20, actuating same by the arm handle 36, the carbon truck beingmoved to its rearmost position against the permanent stop 38. Theadvance of the work web and the stripping or retraction of thecarbons-may be done simultaneously, if desired. It will, of course, benoted that the stop 38 is in such position as to limit the rearwardmovement of the carbon truckto a distance equivalent to the length of aform, so that the leading edge of the carbons is there by moved to theFigure 5 position in which same is spaced from the severing edge ofknife I 5 a distance corresponding to the offset shown in Figures 3 and4 at each succeeding form. It

- may be here noted that the leading edge of the carbons is designatedby an arrow throughout the several views. Following the condition shownin Figure 5, the platen 9 is lowered and locked in the Figure 6 positionand the previously typed forms, now stripped of the carbons, are

severed from the work webby tearing along the knife l5 as shown. Themachine is now in readiness for-typing the next form, upon rotation ofthe platen from the Figure 6 position to advance the form to the firstline of typing.

This mode of operation continues for each succeeding form until thesection or panel of carbons being used is worn and requires replacement.Under this condition a fresh 'panel of carbons is supplied to theleading set of forms, the procedure being as follows: The aforedescribed steps are followed to the stage shown in Figure 4, that is,with the work web, and the carbons therewith, drawn forward against thegage H. The carbonrolls are released by disengaging the locking devicesand, while still holding the work web ends against the gage I4 and alsomaintaining the position of the carbon ends, the carbon truck is pushedrearward-. ly, at the same time tensioning the pull rod 44 to swing thegaging stop 40 to effective position in the path of the permanent stop38. Thus, the condition shown in Figure 7 is produced,

whereby the carbons have been unreeled from the rolls 2| an amountequivalent to the length of a single form less'the marginal offsetdistance represented by the gaging length of the gaging stop 40.Following the condition shown in Figure '7, the platen '9 is loweredwhile still grasping the work web ends, following which the typed formand, the used section of carbons therewith, which carbons are still inregistry with the typed forms, are simultaneously severed at the knifel5, producing the condition shown in Figure 8, wherein the leading endsof the carbon are even with the new leading ends of the work .web plies.The next set of forms is thereby made ready for typing after rotatingthe platen in line spacing to the first line of typing. It will benotedthat the release of the finger piece 46 allows the gaging stop 40to swing to ineffective position by its restoring spring 50.

As soon as the carbon truck 20 assumes the Figure 7 position, asufficient length of the carbons is unreeled and the locking devices 25are again set to prevent further unreeling. Although the offset relationof the c arbons to the work web plies is 'not as yet assumed, thisoffset will be formed the next time the carbon truck 20 is retracted. inthat, by withdrawing the gaging stop 40 the carbon truck will be movedrearwardly an additional distance to the permanent stop 38 to providethis desired offset. This operation follows, after having typed the formimposition for typing shown in Figure 8, upon completion of whichtyping, the platen is raised, the work web and carbons are drawnforwardly to the stop l4, and while still holding the work web so asto,leave the carbons free, the carbon truck 20 is .retracted toengagement with the stop 38. Thus, the carbons are stripped from thethen typed form, being retracted the full length of the form, plus theoffset distance represented by the now withdrawn gaging stop 40, so thatthe free ends of the carbons assume the position shown in Figure 5.

Regarding the provision of the gripping margin at the time of, orfollowing the typing of the first form, it may be here noted that thecarbons may be made even with the work web ends, as shown in Figure 8,when threading the work webs and.

carbons into the machine, it being customary, after the work web andcarbons are in place without particular regard to the position of thecarbon ends, to tear'off the first set of forms together with the unevenend-sections of carbons, so

that the condition shown in Figure 8 is had. It

' or succeeding forms.

In reference to the type of manifolding machine shown 1,132,055 whereinthe carbon sheets are disposed fiatwise in the machine, having theirtrailing ends held on blades supported on the carbon in the aforesaidPatent No.

truck,it will be seen from the foregoing that the auxiliary stop orgaging device may also be associated with the carbon truck in that typeof machine; the gaging device being arranged to cooperate with apermanent stop similar to the 'This new range of travel is determined byadvancing the carbon truck stop when the machine is in the conditionsimilar to that shown in Figure 4 herein, at which position of thecarbon truck the gaging device is thereafter interposed in the path ofthe carbon truck stop and said stop is advanced to the foremost positionpermitted by abutment with the gaging device. When the gaging device issubsequently withdrawn to in effective position and the worn section ofcarbons is severed, together with the previously typed form as abovedescribed, the subsequent retraction of the carbon truck to thepermanent stop in its new position, will cause the leading end of thecarbons to be retracted to the Figure 5 position, wherein the carbonsare offset the desired marginal distance from the tearing line or newleading edge of the succeeding form, and the gripping margin, free ofthe carbons, is thus restored.

From the foregoing it will. be seen that the invention provides a simplegaging device to facilitate the restoration or provision of an offsetrelation of the carbons and work web plies in the operation of amanifolding typewriter, the; device embodying means operable at thefront-of the machine for manually interposing a normally ineffectivegaging stop into cooperation with a stop limiting movement of the carbontruck or vention may assume in practice, it will be under lustration,and that the invention may be modicarrier, by which a predeterminedend-marginal offset of the carbon sheets from the Work web is effectedduring feeding of the work web and carbons in typing a series of forms.

Although in this application there is specifically'described oneembodiment which the instood that same is shown for the purpose ofilfied and embodied in various other forms without departing from itsspirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on a work web withcarbon sheets inter- .leaved therewith, having a platen, Work. websevering means, a carbon sheet carrier reciprocable relative to theplaten for feeding and retracting the carbon sheets, and stop meanshaving a prescribed relation to said severing means for limiting theretractive movement of the carrier; in combination, gaging meansnormally ineffective and movable to cooperate with said stop means tomodify the normal movement of the carbonsheet carrier a predeterminedextent in manipulating the machine to supply a new carbon sheet panel,so that upon subsequent v:ithdrawal of said gaging means, in furtheroperation of the machine, an offset of the carbon sheet ends relative tothe leading end of the work web is provided.

2. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on a work webwithcarbon sheets inter-' leaved therewith, having a platen, work websevering means, a carbon sheet carrier reciprocable relative to. theplaten for feeding and retracting the carbon sheets, and a stop having aprescribed relation to said severing means for limiting the retractivemovement of the carrier; in combination, a gaging stop normally inineffective position and movable to position in the path of saidlimiting stop to reduce the normal retractive .rnovement of the carbonsheet carrier a predetervance of the work web to a prescribed position'relative to the severing means, a carbon sheet carrier'reciprocatory toand from the platen for feeding and retracting the carbon sheets, and astop having a prescribed relation tosaid severing means for limiting theretractive movement of the carrier; in combination, a gaging'stoppivoted on said carrier, normally in ineffective position and swingableto effective position in the path of said limiting stop to reduce thenormal retractive movement of the carbon sheet carrier a predeterminedextent in manipulating the machine to supply a new carbon sheet panel,so that upon subsequent withdrawal of said gaging stop, in

further operation of the machine, an offset of the carbon sheet endsrelative to the leading end of the work web is provided.

4. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on a work web withcarbon sheets interleaved therewith, having a platen, work web severingmeans, gaging means limiting the advance of the work web to a prescribedposition relative to the severing means, a carbon sheet carrierreciprocatory to and from the platen for feedingand retracting thecarbon sheets, and a stop having a prescribed relation to said severingmeans for limiting the retractive movement of i the carrier; incombination, a gaging stop pivoted on said carrier, having a gaging armnormally in ineffective position and swingable to effective position inthe path of said limiting stop to reduce the normal retractive movementof the carbon sheet carrier a predetermined extent, in manipulating themachine to supply a new carbon sheet panel, so that upon subsequentwithdrawal of said gaging stop, in further operation of the machine,anoffset of the carbon sheet ends relative to the leading end of thework web is provided, said gaging arm being length-adjustable to varyamount of offset effected by said gaging stop.

5. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on a work web withcarbon sheets interleaved therewith, having a platen, work web severingmeans, gaging m'eans'limiting the advance of the work web to aprescribed position relative to the severing means, a carbon sheetcarrier reciprocatory to and from the platen for feeding and retractingthe carbon sheets, and a stop having a prescribed relation to saidsevering -means for limiting the retractive movement of the carrier; incombination, a gaging stop pivoted on said carrier, and. a restoringspring normally tion in the path of said limiting stop to reduce vided.

6. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on a work web withcarbon sheets interleaved therewith, having a platen, work web severingmeans, gaging means limiting the advance of the work web to a prescribedposition relative to the severing means, a carbon sheet carrierreciprocatory to and from the platen for feeding and retracting thecarbon sheets, and a stop having a prescribed relation to said severingmeansfor limiting the retractive movement of the carrier; incombination, a gaging stop pivoted on said carrier, at restoring springnormally holding said gaging stop in ineffective position, and meansoperable at the front of the machine for actuating said gaging stop,said gaging stop being swingable to effective position in the path ofsaid limiting stop to reduce the normal retractive movement of thecarbon sheet carrier a predetermined extent in manipulating the machineto supply a new carbon sheet panel, so that upon subsequent withdrawalof said gaging stop, in further operation of the machine, an offset ofthe carbon sheet ends relative to the leading end of the work web isprovided.

7. In a manifolding typewriting machine for typing on'a work web withcarbon sheets interleaved therewith, having a platen, work web severingmeans, gaging means limiting the advance of the work web to a prescribedposition relative to the severing means, a carbon sheet carrierreciprocatory to and from the platen for feeding and retracting thecarbon sheets, including an operating arm extending to adjacent thefront of the machine, and a stop having a prescribed relation to saidsevering means for limiting the retractive movement of the carrier; incombination, a gaging stop pivoted on said carrier, a restoring springnormally holding said gaging stop in ineffective position. and anactuating rod for said gaging stop, carried on said operating arm andhaving a finger-piece adjacent the front of the machine, said gagingstop being swingable to effective position in the path of said limitingstop to reduce the normal retractive movement of the carbon sheetcarrier a predetermined extent in manipulating the machine to supply anew carbon sheet panel, so that upon subsequent withdrawal of saidgaging stop, in further operation of the machine, an offset ofthe carbonsheet ends relative to the lerding end of the Work web is provided.

FRANK KELSO DAVIS.

